Q: Should they scrap the new offense for Bam Adebayo’s sake? Seems to me that he is an odd fit with this new offense and developing players. The speed of the game is not ideal for him, – Cesar, Sanford.
A: Remember, Bam Adebayo was among the prime proponents of this offense when it was scoring 140 points per game. So it’s not as if he viewed it as a hindrance at the time. But, yes, NBA coaching is about adjustments, and what works early in a season does not necessarily work later once it is scouted. Already we are seeing more pick-and-roll sets involving Bam, and the expectation is more of whatever can help Bam get out of his shooting and scoring malaise. The Heat do not need Bam to be a leading scorer. But they do need him to score.
Q: So Trae Young goes for no draft picks but the fans that want to trade everyone for picks think Miami we get a haul of picks. – Tee, Queens, N.Y.
A: Exactly. But there is the subtle difference of Trae Young having a huge salary this season ($46.4 million) and a huge player option for next season ($49 million), which is why is could be easier for the Heat to get draft compensation for Norman Powell (expiring contract) or even Andrew Wiggins ($30 million player option for next season). Even after the pick-less Young trade, there does seem to be a pathway present for the Heat to restock with draft picks while, like the Hawks, continually stuck in play-in-ville.
Q: With all the years of this happening in stadiums that rotate between NHL & NBA games, you’d think they would have figured out a permanent solution by now. – Peetie.
A: They have: Crank up the air conditioning and get the temperature and humidity in the building down. Assuming the United Center has paid its electric bills, it would have seemed a simple enough answer if addressed properly. Did the facility not realize that temperatures in the 50s in Chicago in January are not normal, or that there had been pelting rain outside all day, or that that facility also has ice below the court?